• Full Story

Asset sales 'stupid' - Labour

Email
Print

Sun, 17 Jul 2011 11:22a.m.

Labour finance spokesperson David Cunliffe (NZPA file)

Labour finance spokesperson David Cunliffe (NZPA file)

Asset sales have been labelled as 'stupid' by the opposition who launched their capital gains tax package this week as an alternative to selling off state assets.

The Labour Party plans to tax the wealthiest New Zealanders more with a higher top tax rate, and a 15 percent capital gains tax on investment property and assets.

Labour finance spokesperson David Cunliffe has explained why voters must choose between a capital gains tax or state asset sales.

“Politically it’s a choice, because one major party is saying ‘sell the assets and cut costs, that’s the way out of a hole,’ and we are saying ‘keep the assets, give tax cuts and fund growth’.”

Prime Minister John Key, says putting Labour's proposed capital gains into place would be a nightmare.

RadioLIVE

Become a fan of 3 News on Facebook and on Twitter.

Post a Comment

Before commenting, please take the time to read our moderation guide


(Won't be published)



Comments

18 Jul 2011 10:53a.m.

zedd wrote:

My biggest gripe is against media commentators who are so obviously about promoting one side or the other.. rather than just reporting the issues. The great uninformed masses listen to this stuff. Take the latest 'revelation' from britain.. which ever side the Murdoch 'empire' supported, tended to win. One has to wonder if this is a trend here in Aotearoa too ? Kia-ora

17 Jul 2011 09:19p.m.

Liberty wrote:

LMAO. TV One poll result showing Labour at lowest support in 10 years is best news and laugh I've had in ages. That's what the country thinks of your CGT Goff. Goff you're off!

17 Jul 2011 08:31p.m.

Peter wrote:

Looking at the polls I believe the vast majority of Kiwis must support asset sales. Why on earth is National high in the polls?

Although I am dead against asset sales and so far support Labour (they have good policies) Labours chances of winning the election is hopeless.

In western politics, the left have always cleaned up the rights mess. For example, Obama had to clean up the mess left by the Republicans, Tony Blair had to clean up the mess left by Thatcher, John Major and Rudd had to clean up the mess left by Howard.

Yet people forget why they voted the right out in the first place. Let’s take Australia; they cannot wait to get Gillard out of office for Abbott? WTF

People are stupid; they are easily led by the media, what’s on the radio. Key has endorsements from very much every DJ in the country. But once the silver has been flicked off, people will still be attacking Labour for the capital gains tax. Then suddenly they will realise that the golden goose has only laid its egg for some, and so will vote Labour back in to fix it, only this time it will be too late, economically, environmentally and socially.

17 Jul 2011 08:18p.m.

Labour wrote:

Gosh if Labour says it is a stupid idea there just has to be more merit in the idea than I thought.

17 Jul 2011 06:56p.m.

zedd wrote:

I find it unbelievable that The Nats say that the next election will be a mandate for them to sell state assets. The media say that this is very unpopular, but next I hear that the Nats are still 'riding high'in the polls.. you can't have both. I tend to think the polls are extremely stacked by wealthy voters who respond to them ? Kia-ora

17 Jul 2011 04:52p.m.

Liberty wrote:

All for asset sales and more of them. The government has should not be running businesses. I don't care who runs our electricity as long as there is plenty of competition and choice. Same for TVNZ, Air NZ. Get the government out of there. The money isn't going offshore it is being used to put into infrastructure projects anyway.

17 Jul 2011 04:29p.m.

karl Marx wrote:

"... Labour has been responsible for the majority of state asset sales"

Barney, read a little vis a vis our political history. You'll learn how wrong you are. What assets did the 1987-1990 Lange government sell other than a fifty percent share in the BNZ? What did consecutive National governments selloff during the 1990s ... I can think of more than a dozen. What assets were sold under the Clark watch? Hmmm, for some facts based opinion, yeah?

17 Jul 2011 04:26p.m.

Chris wrote:

Labour make me sick - such total hypocrites. Lets review what the corrupt socialists sold:

Petrocorp, Post Bank, Rural Bank, Air New Zealand, Telecom, State Insurance, Government Print, New Zealand Steel, Forestry Cutting Rights, Tourist Hotel Corporation, Development Finance Corp, Health Computing Service, Maui Gas and the Shipping Corporation.
With Nationals plan the majority ownership its kept in our hands. Its Assest investment as opposed to Labours sell of-
Labour are such corrupt morons.

17 Jul 2011 02:36p.m.

bOb wrote:

Oh gosh if labour did it in the past we should let national do what ever the hell they want. By that logic we should never vote for national either because of all their transgressions in the past(accept for the hypocrites who only hold one side accountable). Im sure the same group arging for asset sales is the same group that argued for labour to sell assets, there lies the biggest crooks of all. But since labour did it we'll just let these same behind the scene crooks get away with it again, like the bunch of suckers we nzers are.

17 Jul 2011 02:22p.m.

Clarke wrote:

@Cyril and Barney Majority? lol National has been just as guilty they sold off hospitals, schools and military bases just as labour has over the years. I love National hypocrites... they complain about labours assets sales and yet applaud Nationals. Such hypocrites really. However you come to a point where you have to say enough is enough or we will have nothing left and I think New Zealanders are at that point.